Posted by Derek Sedillo on November 16, 2008 at 12:00 PM
I made my first attempt at capturing the Pigeon Point lighting last night. I couldn't believe how many photographers were there - easily 500+. It reminded me of shooting the Maroon Bells in the Fall.
I had a hard time picking out a location. I wanted to shoot away from the crowds and from the waters edge. But the access was very limited from the cliffs above. I think I needed to explore the area a little more. There was a bit to much seaweed and rocks where I ended up. And walking back in the dark or the slippery rocks, moss, and seaweed was tricky.
It was a beautiful night none the less. I think next year I may try the more classic comp up close with all the other photogs.
Here are a few of the shots (horizontal & vertical crops):
Derek, I would agree, it sure would be nice to get in closer to shoot this event. But, I can surely understand your reasoning for not wanting to join the crowd and to work some different perspectives on this wonderful scene. Your images were very clear and displayed all the many folks up and around the base of the lighthouse too.
The stars and backdrop sky is excellent here. Although the FG being lost to darkness is obviously not the main point of interest it would have been a bit nicer to maybe pick that up better, or a longer lens to eliminate part of it I guess. However as always, unless one is there dealing with all the circumstances at hand it is very easy to trouble shoot from the armchair too.
I really like the last one a lot. I might crop in from the right just slightly to eliminate the two utility poles and wires.
Posted by Derek Sedillo on November 16, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Thank guys for the constructive comments. I agree on all counts. It was really nice to have clear skies with visible stars in the sky at the time of the display. In this case I didn't want to emphasize the foreground at all - just the reflected light on the water.
I had spoken with Edward Nunez earlier who had a better location picked out (more open). He is the one who shot that great close up last year. However he was unable to make it and I found myself scrambling over reefs, seaweed and rocks which were 'temporalily' uncovered during a minus low tide. I got pretty far, but still did not find more open water with less rocks. It definately gave me some ideas for next year though.
I only wish there were more than 5 minutes a year to photograph it.
Even without the light it is a beautiful location. But for me a lighthouse with beam(s) shooting out is really what I enjoy shooting at night.
Derek
Posted by Eric Good on November 18, 2008 at 3:52 AM
Well the Smugmug site is down temporally, so I'll have to come back to take another look at this spectacle and your captures. I remember seeing previous shots and it really looks like a great photo opportunity.
Posted by Steve Sieren on November 18, 2008 at 11:08 AM
It looks like you got pretty close. Pretty nice still. I can't believe they only keep it lit for 5 minutes. It would be nice if they lit it a little sooner too so the camera could handle the dynamic range of the scene.
Posted by Anil Rao on November 19, 2008 at 1:01 PM
Hi Derek,
Thanks for posting this images. It must have been quite a night. I love the natural feel of the photos and the combiation of stars and the rays emanating from the lighthouse is very intriuging. The sheen on the water is a nice touch too.
Discussion
6 repliesI had a hard time picking out a location. I wanted to shoot away from the crowds and from the waters edge. But the access was very limited from the cliffs above. I think I needed to explore the area a little more. There was a bit to much seaweed and rocks where I ended up. And walking back in the dark or the slippery rocks, moss, and seaweed was tricky.
It was a beautiful night none the less. I think next year I may try the more classic comp up close with all the other photogs.
Here are a few of the shots (horizontal & vertical crops):
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/6234693_bgVA8#418149906_ndNtr-XL-LB
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/6234693_bgVA8#417998641_r8KJa-XL-LB
Non crop:
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/6234693_bgVA8#417973799_NvpvU-XL-LB
Derek
The stars and backdrop sky is excellent here. Although the FG being lost to darkness is obviously not the main point of interest it would have been a bit nicer to maybe pick that up better, or a longer lens to eliminate part of it I guess. However as always, unless one is there dealing with all the circumstances at hand it is very easy to trouble shoot from the armchair too.
I really like the last one a lot. I might crop in from the right just slightly to eliminate the two utility poles and wires.
I had spoken with Edward Nunez earlier who had a better location picked out (more open). He is the one who shot that great close up last year. However he was unable to make it and I found myself scrambling over reefs, seaweed and rocks which were 'temporalily' uncovered during a minus low tide. I got pretty far, but still did not find more open water with less rocks. It definately gave me some ideas for next year though.
I only wish there were more than 5 minutes a year to photograph it.
Even without the light it is a beautiful location. But for me a lighthouse with beam(s) shooting out is really what I enjoy shooting at night.
Derek
Thanks for posting this images. It must have been quite a night. I love the natural feel of the photos and the combiation of stars and the rays emanating from the lighthouse is very intriuging. The sheen on the water is a nice touch too.